Hungerford railway bridge first opened in 1845 as a suspension footbridge. (Image: Getty)
An in central London is getting a major facelift. Hungerford Railway Bridge in London first opened in 1845 as a suspension footbridge.
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd owns the bridge and crosses the River Thames in London.
The bridge lies between Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge and is being restored to help “protect it for the future”.
The train takes passengers between the South Bank and London Charing Cross station. Network Rail states that its restoration will retain all of its original metalwork.
Refurbishment of this 161-year-old bridge commenced on January 18 and will be carried out in two phases.
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The bridge lies between Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge. (Image: Getty)
Network Rail kicked off works to refurbish the 161-year-old Hungerford railway bridge on Saturday (18 January) and comes as Network Rail announces its £213 million investment to allow for a total revamp of the railway bridge’s route structure.
The refurbishment will involve testing the truss pins, replacing the pin end caps on their grinders, and painting the bridge.
The refurbishment’s first phase on the Southbank and the river’s south side will occur from January 2025 to January 2026.
Network Rail’s Kent route director, David Davidson, confirmed that the bridge will remain open to trains during its first phase.
The refurbishment will see the truss pins being tested and the bridge being repainted among others. (Image: Getty)
Hungerford Railway Bridge’s second refurbishment phase will occur from January 2026 to winter 2028.
Hungerford railway bridge is a steel truss railway bridge that includes pedestrian bridges alongside it, two of which were recently built.
The current bridge has a horizontal space between two supports made from wrought iron lattice girders dating back to 1864.
“Many of the bridges on Britain’s railway are from the Victorian era, and being responsible for this national heritage is both a privilege and a challenge,” said Davidson.
He added: “Some of the structures are very old, so they are vulnerable to corrosion and damage from the weather.”
Davidson said barges would be used to deliver and remove waste materials to Surrey Pier to avoid further disruption.
“This will avoid the equivalent of six truck freight deliveries through central London a week,” added Davidson.
Hungerford railway bridge was named after Hungerford Market, a popular spot in London around 1845.